Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

ECM, Bezerra or..?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Martino
    replied
    Nothing in the world is perfect, you can expect to have an issues with something sooner or later, the key is...can you easily fix it yourself, even with a little help form the seller or manufacturer. Just think if you had to take your machine in to the dealer like you do your car - ugh. However, if you can fix it at home, its sooo much better. I love my ECM, its a machine that was built in Italy and finished in Germany, the best of both coffee worlds.

    Leave a comment:


  • steve7
    replied
    I've had a ECM Technika iv profi (with rotary pump) for about three years and have been very happy with my coffee (Quamar Q50 grinder).

    The only issue I have had is the pipe to the steam outlet becoming loose and allowing water to drip onto the power LED, killing it. A replacement LED and resistor cost a couple of dollars and some solder. I did have to put some Locktite on the tightening nut because the constant movement of the steam lever keeps loosening it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Jackster
    replied
    No issues here with a Musica. Mine is non lux.

    Leave a comment:


  • Martino
    replied
    This is my set up, its about a year old and I would pick the same two machines again. The grinder is the Eureka Atom with a different shaped hopper I added post purchase. Its really quiet, its fast, its programmable, you don't lose your grind settings when cleaning it and it only harbors a few grams of ground coffee. The ECM is the Synchronika, I was used to a dual boiler so wanted to stay that route. Its a true E61 in all regards, made in Italy, finished in Germany and then shipped to the US. Runs on a standard 15a circuit, you can turn the hot water/steam boiler off if you only want espresso, its quiet and fast and offers manual pre infusion. Its built like a tank, weighs around 70-80lbs and is very very consistent. Use the water reservoir or plumb it, same goes for the waste water. The pressure valve auto dumps into the drip tray as does the waste from the brew group. You can adjust the brew pressure, it comes with two portafilters that are weapons unto themselves and cleanup is quiet easy. ..and yes, it has the joystick controls which is what you wanted. Questions?

    Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_6983.jpg
Views:	3
Size:	407.6 KB
ID:	750389

    Leave a comment:


  • Mb21
    replied
    yes the struggle is real

    If it helps i like my machine, site sponsor based in Rosebery NSW

    https://dibartoli.com.au/di-bartoli-lumina-on-sale/

    but also very much considered this machine from Casa Espresso in Melbourne
    https://www.casaespresso.com.au/izzo-vivi-pid.html

    Leave a comment:


  • jksniper
    replied
    It's so tough with so many choices that have incremental changes every extra $500. Originally I was looking at the nuova simonelli musica as it has a nice steamer but i read its not as reliable as the other semi automatic machines. Then comes the decision with the pumps with the vibe in the low $2000 range and the rotary starting from $3000. Then i hear rotary pumps need to be plumbed in for longevity. And amongst other things need to consider having a pid control, hx/dual, volumetric control buttons, etc

    Most are out of my budget, I originally set to a max of $2000 but am considering either the rocket apartmento or bezzera magica range as they seem to be in the mid $2000.

    Would love a rotary pump if it doesnt need to be plumbed in but at the en of the day i just want a sturdy machine that wont require too many fixes.

    Leave a comment:


  • PGH
    replied
    Get a rotary pump. I was next to a vibe pump machine last week and I am so glad I got a rotary pump.

    I have had a ecm profi iv for five odd years. I have considered upgrading but it is perfect. Push valves are awesome. cleaned and lubed once myself in five years, only because I was replacing one of the brass plungers in the the head. plunger was a $2 item. Only money I have had to spend on it.

    Leave a comment:


  • level3ninja
    replied
    I don't want to tell you how much money to spend on a grinder. There is definately a point of diminishing returns with grinders, but for my money it's a step or two above the K3 and Mignon. Best bang for buck new is a Mahlkoenig Vario (around $700). Stepping up from that you're looking at another $500+ but definitely not a 100% improvement for nearly double the price. At that point it's definitely worth asking yourself what features you want as that's a large part of what differentiates them at the $1200-1500 level.

    I would suggest you find somewhere that will let you use a couple of different grinders and make shots on the level of machine you're looking at getting. Take some good quality beans you're familiar with, you might even offer to pay them a nominal amount. If you can't taste the difference then go with the cheaper option. If you can you will need to weigh up if it's worth the price difference. If the shop you go to has the Eureka Mignon and Atom that would be a good comparison. Also I can't recommend the Vario highly enough as a long term value option, I would make sure wherever you go has one you can use to test.

    Failing that you may have to spread the testing out, but try to use as similar a machine as possible. You could try contacting the site sponsors, I'm sure a few will be willing to have you.

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    I really don't see anything in newer grinders that would entice me to trade my Mazzer Mini in, it does exactly what its meant to do, grind coffee that produces excellent espresso.
    Last edited by Yelta; 5 July 2019, 09:02 AM. Reason: spelling

    Leave a comment:


  • Meggs8
    replied
    Hi TroubleBrewing

    Having just sold a K3 and bought a Niche I can say the Niche produces a far finer, clump free and fluffier grind than the K3. It also much easier to adjust and yes FAR quieter. Having been looking at grinders and posts/reviews about them for some time I notice there are a lot of senior members who have moved up from K3 or similar to a Niche, Fausto or similar. Must say something.

    Leave a comment:


  • TroubleBrewing
    replied
    Thanks Level 3 Ninja,

    I have been concerned about whether the K3/Mignon would become a weak link in such a system...although several techs and sales people have 'vouched' for specifically the k3 in any domestic setup regardless of price.

    My (potentially flawed) understanding is that a K3 with MM Adjustment and it's 58mm burrs should produce the quality of grind to suit any machine and as we look at more $$$ grinders the differences are predominantly in features, noise supression and speed - none of which (i think) matter to my circumstance of typically knocking out 2-3 espresso's before work each morning, a few more on weekends and 6-9 milk based drinks when we have visitors/dinner parties etc...

    I am very keen to hear from a different viewpoint though

    I guess my circumstance is that i want a new grinder ASAP and would ultimately like a ECM/Bezzera or perhaps even Profitec E61 machine some time between now and Christmas. I may even look at a second hand Expobar Leva or similar that come up in the meantime as a better value proposition that can probably be upgraded at a later date with minimal loss... sorry - i do seem to be all over the place

    Leave a comment:


  • level3ninja
    replied
    If that's the sort of machine you want to end up with them a grinder like a K3 or Mignon is going to be the weak link in the chain. To save you wanting to upgrade the grinder shortly after you get the machine I'd aim a bit higher to start with. Bang for buck wise a Mahlkoenig Vario is very hard to beat. If you wanted to spend more the Eureka Atom or Niche Zero are quite different to each other depending on what you want from a grinder but both have good reports.

    You can get the ACS Minima for well under $3k, it's a dual boiler E61 solenoid group, with toggle switches for brewing, rather than the traditional E61 lever, like you're after.
    Last edited by level3ninja; 30 June 2019, 09:52 PM. Reason: Autocucumber

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Originally posted by SanderP View Post
    It's personal preference but lots of folks like rotary valves because they're more easily maintained than the levers

    Cheers
    Yep, as you say, some prefer rotary, I'm one of them, pretty much a personal preference thing.

    As far as maintenance is concerned replacing seals in rotary valves is very simple, couple of minutes job done.

    Leave a comment:


  • SanderP
    replied
    It's personal preference but lots of folks like rotary valves because they're more easily maintained than the levers

    Cheers

    Leave a comment:


  • Yelta
    replied
    Cant comment on the ECM TB, however I can tell you that I've been a happy Bezzera owner for the past 10 years.

    Reliable, well made, produce excellent espresso, very easy to use and service, good back up from the Australian distributors.

    Bezzera have an excellent pedigree being the originators of the espresso process in 1906.

    Their site is worth a look. Bezzera

    Leave a comment:

Working...
X